CYPROHEPTADINE - ORAL
Phonetic Pronunciation: (sigh-pro-HEP-tah-deen)
Information last revised May 2010
What does CYPROHEPTADINE - ORAL look like?
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 2 mg/5 mL Syrup
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 2 mg/5 mL Syrup
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
cyproheptadine 4 mg Tab
Uses:
This medication relieves seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms such as watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to relieve itching and hives caused by some skin conditions. Cyproheptadine belongs to a class of drugs known as antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances in the body (histamine and serotonin). Do not use this medication in children younger than 2 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all of the doctor's dosage directions. Do not give other cough and cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (e.g., saline nose drops/spray, using a humidifier or infant nasal suction bulb).
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with food to minimize stomach upset. When using the syrup, measure the dose out carefully with a medication spoon/cup. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. Children 2 to 6 years of age should not take more than 12 milligrams per day unless directed by the doctor. Children 7 to 14 years of age should not take more than 16 milligrams per day unless directed by the doctor. Adults should not take more than 32 milligrams per day. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed. Do not take this medication for several days before allergy testing since test results can be affected. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Drug Interactions
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: anticholinergic drugs (e.g., atropine, scopolamine), antispasmodic drugs (e.g., belladonna alkaloids, dicyclomine, oxybutynin), certain drugs for Parkinson's disease (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, citalopram). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients (e.g., other antihistamines such as diphenhydramine). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests (pituitary-adrenal response). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose in adults may include severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness, which may be followed by unusual excitement or seizures. In children, excitement may occur first, and may be followed by: loss of coordination, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures.
Precautions
Before taking cyproheptadine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: glaucoma (narrow-angle), stomach problems (e.g., peptic ulcer, stomach/intestinal obstruction), urinary problems (e.g., enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, heart disease, high blood pressure, seizure disorder, kidney problems. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness and dizziness. Do not use this drug in newborn or premature infants. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially unusual excitement and seizures. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the nursing infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze the oral solution. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, loss of coordination, upset stomach, constipation, increased appetite, weight gain, thickening of mucus in the nose/throat, or dry mouth/throat/nose may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., unusual excitement, confusion, hallucinations), fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, difficulty urinating, seizures. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat a type of hormone disorder (Cushing's syndrome caused by a pituitary gland problem), and sexual function problems caused by certain drugs.